Key Will Not Go To Off Position

[JIMMYMAN]

Hey guys!!! My 99 GMC Jimmy 4.3L V6 has had an itermittent issue for a while now that no one can figure out.

 

When I stop the jimmy, place it in park and go to turn the key off, the key only goes to the off position so the engine shuts off but will not go back enough to take the key out of the ignition. endless wiggling makes no help. It can take up to 20mins or 30 sec to get the key out. Sometimes if you wait long enough, you can barely hear this little click and the key will come out fine.

 

I brought it to the dealership twice and no luck.

 

Any ideas would be great

 

Thx

[Truckin2003]

have you ever tried turning the steering wheel while trying to turn the key.... the reason i ask is becase ive seen it to where the wheel is lock and i had to turn it a little to get it off the lock before i could get the key to turn. if that makes any sense. good luck

[JIMMYMAN]

Yes I have tried that as well with no luck!!

 

Thx for your help!!!

 

Cheers

 

Chad

[bobcat5544]

Is the shifter on the sterring wheel or on the floor

[JIMMYMAN]

Is the shifter on the sterring wheel or on the floor

 

 

The shifter is on the floor.

 

Thx

[bobcat5544]

When it does it again with the shifter in park push the shift forward more and see if it releases the key...usually one of two thing happen. The shift interlock solenoid either needs to be readjusted or could have an intermittent problem. Also have you had any battery or low voltage problems

[JIMMYMAN]

When it does it again with the shifter in park push the shift forward more and see if it releases the key...usually one of two thing happen. The shift interlock solenoid either needs to be readjusted or could have an intermittent problem. Also have you had any battery or low voltage problems

 

 

There has been no low voltage or battery issues lately..New batt installed last winter.

 

As for pushing the lever forward, I have tried that in the past with no luck as well. Is that shift inerlock solenoid the only component that would not allow the key to come out or are there other possibilities? Or should I go and buy a solenoid, install it and that be it?

 

Thx again

[bobcat5544]

There is to parts to it. One is the shifter position switch located by the shifter. The second part is the ignition lock cylinder interlock solenoid which is located in the steering column. One or the other could cuase the problem..

[JIMMYMAN]

There is to parts to it. One is the shifter position switch located by the shifter. The second part is the ignition lock cylinder interlock solenoid which is located in the steering column. One or the other could cuase the problem..

 

So what would be the best way to troubleshoot this problem?

[bobcat5544]

With out a scan tool and a meter. You can get access under the shifter and manually press the button on the shifter position switch and see if it releases it...

 

With what you decribed I would lean more to the the shift interlock solenoid in the column, but can't be positive on it.

[JIMMYMAN]

With out a scan tool and a meter. You can get access under the shifter and manually press the button on the shifter position switch and see if it releases it...

 

With what you decribed I would lean more to the the shift interlock solenoid in the column, but can't be positive on it.

I will give that a try. Thx again.

 

The switch in the column..Is that a big job to replace? I am curious of the labour that would be involved vs the cost of the part.